Tape moistener



Dec. 3, 1929. A. H. REIBER 1,737,805

TAPE MOI STENER Filed July 11, 1925 Patented Dec. 3, 1929 UNITED .STA

T is;

PATENTYOFFICE.

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, CORPORATION OF DELAWARE TAIQPE MOISTENER Application filed .Tu1y11, 1925. Serial No. 42,954.

' The present invention relates to tape moistening and pasting devices. V More particularly the invention relates to tape moistening andpasting devices especially adapted for use in pasting telegraph messagesreceived on tape on message blanks; for sealing package wrappers with adhesive tape and like uses. p

Objects of the invention are to provide improved and simplified tape moistening and pasting devices; to provide moistening and pasting devices which facilitate rapid and efficient handling of the tape; and to provide such other objects asmay be'attained by a utilization of the principles and arrangements hereinafter set forth and as defined by the terms of the appended claims.

' As shown in the drawings:

Figure 1, is a side elevation partially in section of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

'Figure 2is a in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section taken along line AA plan view'of'the form shown of Figure 1.

As shown in the drawings:

A tubular body 1 is provided, to the upper surface of which a tape guide 2 is secured. Formed in the tape guide 2 is a guide slot 3 which is shaped to receive and guide the tape 4 across the top of the device. The rear end of the body section 1 is closed and is provided with a filling openingwhich is normally closed by the screw plug 5. The forward end of the body 1 is provided with a sloping end wall with which a nozzle or spout member 6 is integrally formed. The spout member 6 is provided with an inclined wick opening 7 into which a wick or moistening member 8 is adapted to fit with its lower end extending downward into the body device as shown. A metallic curved piece 9, preferably of German silver, is inserted between the wick 8 and the wall of the wick opening 7. The piece 9 extends below the surface 10 of the spout member 6 and provides an air passage into the body section when the wick is in position.

Formed in the upper surface of the spout member 6 is a tape guiding depression 11.

' so A tape tensioning member 12, pivotally secured at 13 to the body section 1', has the forward end thereof forced forward into the depression 11 by meansof springs 14 which are secured to theprojections 15 of'the body section 1 and to the. projections 16 of the member 12. Secured to the forward end of the spout member 6 is roller supporting member 17 in which the roller 18 is rotatably mounted.

Operation In operation the wick 8 andthe piece 9 are inserted as shown in Figure 1, the body section 1' is filled with water and the plug 5 is then screwed tightly in place. Tape A is threaded through the guide passage 3 with the adhesivesurface downward, through depression 11, under the'member 12, over the end of the wick 8, and under the roller 18, as shown in Figurel. The water'in the moistener passes through the wick by capillary attraction and keeps the wick moist.

To start the device a section of the tape is drawn through'the moistener until a moist section" oflthe adhesive" extends beyond the roller 18 [The moistened surface is then pressed against the'partto which it is to be pasted, such for example as; a lmessageblank or over tlie edge of a package wrapper, and the inoistener-is moved along. This action draws the tape froml'the tape moistener aliowingehe'tape to bepress'ed the message'blank or package'either'by'hand or by means of some other objectif lVhen a'suflic'ient quantity of tape has been passed through the moistener the tape. may betornand the "operation- "repe'ated. As the") moistener. is moved the tape willbe drawn-over the wick 'face'having the ,1adhesiv e surface thereof nioi s tenedfij 'Inthis'way strips of any desired length may be applied rapidly to th e message blanks or the package and the tension of the t'ape maybe varied by applying pressure of thethumb to th'emember 12. 7

Air will enter in front of the curved piece 9therebyallowing the level-of'the water to fall. In this way no vacuum is created above the water in the main portion 1 and the wick will remain moist and will: effectively moisten the, lower surface of the 'tape as. it passes everithej end of-the wick.- Awa-terseal will be maintained against the admission of air formed by part 9 until the level of the water in the wick end of the tube is reduced below the surface 10. This prevents the wick from becoming too moist. If the moistener is placed in service without the piece 9 being inserted; the wick will run dry shortly after being placed in service.

It will accordingly be seen that a simple and effective moistener device has been provided which lends itself to rapid and efficient pasting of tape for various purposes.

Having described a preferred embodiment of the invention what is desired to be secured by Letters Patent and claimed as new is:

1. A tape moistener comprisinga body section adapted to receive water; said body section comprising aspout member provided with a wick opening; a wick in said wick opening; and means providing an air passage into said body section between said wick and a wallof saidw'ick opening. i

2. The construction defined in claim 1 in which said means comprises a removable member positioned within said wick opening.

3. A tape moistener comprising a body section with an enlarged chamber forthe reception of Water; a restricted outlet section; a wick; and means providing an air passage adjacent said wick into said outlet section.

4. The combination set forth in claim 3 in which the upper level of said outlet section is substantially below the upper level of said enlarged chamber when the moistener is in horizontal position. v

5. A. tape moistening device comprising a container for moistening liquid; said container having a section of restricted area dis posed at its forward end; a wick receiving recess communicating with said restricted section; a wick in said recess; means providing an air passage to the interior of said container adjacent said wick; andmeans on the exterior of said container for guiding a tape over the projectin end of said wick and for applying the molstened tape to an article to which it is to be pasted.

6. The construction defined in claim 5 in which said first means comprises a removas ble transversely arched elongated metallic strip disposed in said recess.

7. A tape moistener comprising a single substantially straight-hollow body serving as a hand grip and a water container having a wick supporting opening in the forward end thereof; a wick arranged insaid opening with its outer end, protruding therefrom and the inner end extending into said body; and means arranged between one side of said opening and said wick to form an air passage to the interior of said hollow body.

8. A tape moistener comprising a single substantially straight hollow body serving as a hand gripand a Water container having a wick supporting opening in the forward end thereof; a wick arranged in said opening with its outer end protruding therefrom and its inner end extending into said body; means providing an air passage into said body adjacent said wick; a tape guide channel on the exterior of said body; means for guiding a tape from the end of said channel over said wick; andmeans'for adjusting the tension of said tape.

9. A tape moistener comprising a body section with an enlarged chamber for the reception of water; a restricted outlet section; a wick; means'prov'iding an air passage adj acent said wick into said outlet section; means for guiding the tape across the end of said wick; and means for maintaining a tension on the tape during pasting operations.

10. A tape moistener comprisinga single straight hollow tubular body adaptedto receive water and to serve as a hand grip; means for introducing water into said body; a wick receiving openingextending into the forward end of saidbody; a wick arranged in said opening with its outer end protrudingtherefrom and its inner end extending into said body; means arranged insaidopening forming an air passage to theinterior of said body adjacent said wick; a tape, receiving and guiding means disposed on the upper outer surface of said body; and tape guiding and tensioning means disposed adjacent the forward end of said tape receiving and guiding means for guiding a tape over the protruding end of said wick.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

ALBERT H. REIBER. 

